Blackburn Tai Chi Academy


Self Defence (San Shou)

The techniques learned in the hand forms have practical, self defence applications. Advanced students have the opportunity to pursue studies in this area, with many individual and "one-on-one" drills taught by Sifu John and our most senior assistant instructors.



Tai Chi Weapons

After learning the principles of Tai Chi movement though practice in the hand form, students have the option of taking on the additional class in Tai Chi weapons. Four traditional weapon forms are available, each presenting its own unique challenges.





		Staff (Gwun)

		The staff is traditionally taught before progressing to other long weapons. Made of cane, the staff is lightweight and flexible, allowing for a fast and agile form which covers a large area. The spinning staff of Wu style Tai Chi is impressive to watch and even more fun to perform.




Spear (Chi'ang)

Longer than the staff with a metal tip, the Chinese call the spear the "king of the long weapons". According to tradition, the spear takes 1000 days to learn - at Blackburn Tai Chi Academy you'll learn the spear form in rather less time, but true mastery will still take practice!





		Sabre (Dau)

		The sabre is a long, curved sword with a thick stock and a thin tip. Traditionally, it was the first of the short weapons to be taught and is considered to be an essentially masculine form, relying on powerful slashes and strikes. The power in Tai Chi sabre, however, is manifest through internal energy rather than brute strength.




Sword (Ch'ien)

The longest and most complex of the weapon forms, proficiency with the Tai Chi sword is a true measure of the student. According to tradition, mastery of the sword takes 10,000 days of practice (that's every day for 40 years!) and as such it was revered as a weapon of scholars.

The Tai Chi sword is described as a feminine form because its movements are very graceful and precise. Where the sabre develops power in movement, the sword develops focus and precision.

Click here to view Victoria's weapons regulations.

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